Parts of Oscar Pistorius trial to be broadcast live

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JOHANNESBURG -- Parts of Oscar Pistorius' murder trial can be broadcast live on television by
three remote-controlled cameras, a judge ruled today, but testimony given by the double-amputee
athlete can't be shown.

High Court Judge Dunstan Mlambo granted permission to South African media houses to install
the cameras in "unobtrusive" locations to show much of Pistorius' blockbuster trial, which could
now be watched by millions in South Africa and around the world.

Pistorius' defense attorneys had opposed any part of the trial being broadcast, saying it
would harm his chances of receiving a fair trial.

"Court proceedings are in fact public, and this objective must be recognized," Mlambo said
before delivering his ruling.

Brian Webber, an attorney for Pistorius, declined to initially comment on the ruling, saying
he had to study it.

Opening arguments by the prosecution and the defense can be shown live, Mlambo said, along
with the presiding judge's decision and sentencing, should Pistorius, a former Olympian, be
convicted of murder for the shooting death of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Expert witnesses' testimony can be shown but not that of Pistorius or "his witnesses," the
judge said.

Restrictions could also be placed on other witness testimony if they object to their time in
court being shown on TV, Mlambo said. The court would then consider showing such testimonies from
behind the witness or obscuring their face.

No parts of confidential discussions between Pistorius and his attorneys can be broadcast in
any way, Mlambo said in his judgment from a court in South Africa's capital, Pretoria.

The judge also gave permission for two still cameras to be set up to take photographs inside
the court, but ruled that no camera, television or still, will be allowed to record an "extreme"
close up image of anyone in the court. He also said no lighting or flashes would be allowed for any
of the recordings.

A live audio feed of the proceedings will be permitted through the trial, with restrictions
placed if witnesses also object 24 hours in advance to their testimony being heard.

The television cameras would not be manned in court but rather controlled from another room,
which could be inspected by the judge presiding over the trial, Mlambo said.

The applications to broadcast the trial were brought by a South African television news
station, a cable provider that will launch a 24-hour channel focusing on the Pistorius trial and a
radio news network.